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Units of Assessment (UoAs)

In REF 2021 we submitted to 28 Units of Assessment (UoAs) across the four main panels. They encompass contributions of many staff and students during the current REF cycle.

Our research community

Submissions include staff who have passed through the University’s three faculties. They also include the following researchers who were with us on the REF census date of 31 July 2021:

  • 3,400 postgraduate research students
  • 1,142 postdoctoral research associates
  • 1,288 independent researchers
  • 552 technicians and technologists
  • 1,318 professional services colleagues

Diversified disciplinary base

Since 2014, we have diversified our disciplinary base, having:

  • re-established Physics in 2015
  • launched Sports and Exercise medicine in 2017
  • incorporated Pharmacy and Medicine from Durham University in 2017

Clinical Medicine Research (UoA1)

Clinical research at Âé¶¹´«Ã½ has strengths in Cancer, Rare Diseases, Immunity & Inflammation, Long-term Conditions & Ageing and Regenerative Medicine, Transplantation and Advanced Therapies. This high-quality research translates into tangible benefit for patients and their carers and has reduced the burden on the NHS.

Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care Research (UoA2)

We conduct most of our research within the Âé¶¹´«Ã½ Population Health Sciences Institute, a world-leading centre. Our research aims to improve health, care and wellbeing for all and reduce health inequalities. We undertake world-class research and translating our findings into policy and practice. Our submission includes 33 staff, an increase of over 10% from 2014.

Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing, and Pharmacy Research (UoA3)

Our research seeks to shapes policy and practice. We want to enhance health and wellbeing across the lifecourse. We're keen to address and improve the impacts of inequalities. We develop and deliver novel interventions to improve health and care.

Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience Research (UoA4)

We translate the discoveries in neuroscience into health, wellbeing and wealth benefits for the UK and beyond. We undertake clinical research into the causes and impacts of neurological, neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions. We work to develop effective approaches to the treatment of these conditions.

Biological Sciences Research (UoA5)

UoA5 scientists deliver transformational biological discoveries that underpin new clinical and industrial applications. A common theme of the UoA5 ICSs is a foundation in fundamental laboratory research that can be developed for therapeutic or commercial benefit.

Agriculture, Food and Vet Sciences Research (UoA6)

Our research supports the production of safe and nutritious food within a sustainable and resilient food system.

Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences Research (UoA7)

Global environmental change is one of humanity’s greatest challenges. We address fundamental areas of environmental research, including rapid climate change, extreme environments, accelerating biodiversity declines and habitat loss.

Chemistry Research (UoA8)

Our interdisciplinary expertise and collaborations into the life sciences drives our research.

Mathematical Sciences Research (UoA10)

Find out about Âé¶¹´«Ã½'s research environment in the area of mathematical sciences, covering three major divisions.

Computer Science and Informatics Research (UoA11)

Our Arjuna (now Narayana) transaction system software contributes to international transaction processing standards.

Engineering Research (UoA12)

The School of Engineering remains committed to the vision of tackling global challenges using interdisciplinary research.

Architecture, Built Environment and Planning Research (UoA13)

Architecture, built environment and planning research works in and across three research groups. They have collaborated for more than two decades. They returned together in both the 2014 REF and 2008 RAE.

Geography and Environmental Studies Research (UoA14)

Geography at Âé¶¹´«Ã½ is the largest unit in the School of Geography, Politics, and Sociology. We are a world-leading centre of geography and environmental studies research, scholarship, and disciplinary capacity building.

Archaeology Research (UoA15)

Archaeology has been studied and researched at Âé¶¹´«Ã½ since 1931. Over the last decade the number of archaeologists has more than doubled. Now, there are over 35 lecturing, research, and technical staff at Âé¶¹´«Ã½.

Business and Management Research (UoA17)

Âé¶¹´«Ã½ Business School is a research-led, multidisciplinary Russell Group Business School. We produce excellent impactful business and management research that will make a global difference. We advance discipline-based and challenge-led interdisciplinary research.

Law Research (UoA18)

Âé¶¹´«Ã½ Law School traces its origins back to 1923. That's when law was first taught at what is now Âé¶¹´«Ã½. Today, the School forms part of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. We are 36 research-active scholars from 15 countries.

Politics and International Studies (UoA19)

Politics at Âé¶¹´«Ã½ has a long-standing reputation for delivering outstanding research. Topics covered include political participation, security and social justice. We embrace interdisciplinarity as an organic feature of our research culture.

Social Work and Social Policy Research (UoA20)

This is the first time we have made a submission to UoA20 Social Work and Social Policy. Our interdisciplinary Social Work and Social Policy research and impact activities seek to understand social problems. We look at their impacts both nationally and internationally. Our submission to UoA20 focuses on the two themes of health policy and ageing.

Sociology Research (UoA21)

Sociology became a separate unit in the School of Geography, Politics, and Sociology in 2002. The unit has seen significant growth, from 19 staff submitted to REF2014 to 25 in REF2021. We are proud of our Sociology research portfolio. We have a long-standing commitment to collaborative working and interdisciplinarity. This is through expertise in areas such as bioethics and anthropology.

Education Research (UoA23)

Education research at Âé¶¹´«Ã½ is based in the School of Education, Communication, and Language Sciences (ECLS). Education at Âé¶¹´«Ã½ has been training teachers and doing research for more than 130 years. The Unit returns 21 colleagues to REF2021. Their work ranges from pedagogic innovation to professional learning and education.

Modern Languages and Linguistics Research (UoA26)

Modern Languages and Linguistics at Âé¶¹´«Ã½ is a dynamic multicultural and multilingual community of 106 postgraduate students and 69 staff.

English Language and Literature Research (UoA27)

Literature and creative writing (UoA27) is part of Âé¶¹´«Ã½'s School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics. The School has a long and prestigious history, and each year we attract excellent visiting researchers from around the world.

History Research (UoA28)

The History unit at Âé¶¹´«Ã½ is in the School of History, Classics, and Archaeology. We carry out wide-ranging History research centred around our commitment to historical justice. Our submitted research stretches from Anglo-Saxon England and Medieval Iberia to twentieth-century China.

Classics Research (UoA29)

Classics and Ancient History at Âé¶¹´«Ã½ is in the School of History, Classics, and Archaeology. The department has a long history of teaching Classics, as well as producing research that has an impact around the world. We have been teaching Classics at Âé¶¹´«Ã½ since 1874. We pride ourselves on outstanding research and teaching in this area, and our work is internationally recognised.

Art and Design Research (UoA32)

The Fine Art department at Âé¶¹´«Ã½ is part of the School of Arts and Cultures. Our world-leading art and design research culture has been developing for more than 70 years. Today, we are widely recognised as among the most influential art departments in the UK.

Music Research (UoA33)

The International Centre for Music Studies (ICMuS) represents Music (UoA33) at Âé¶¹´«Ã½. This is within the School of Arts and Cultures. ICMuS can trace its distinguished history to the 1890s. It's an anchor institution in the music and culture of north-east England.

Communication, Culture and Media Studies Research (UoA34)

Media, Culture, Heritage (MCH) at Âé¶¹´«Ã½ is based in the School of Arts and Cultures. The subject group was established in 2016. It brought together the expertise of colleagues in the Media and Cultural Studies Department and International Centre for Cultural and Heritage Studies.